Protective device



y 9, 1956 M. LUCAS PROTECTIVE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20.1954 INVENTOR MzchaeZ Lucas I M mu ATTORNEYS May 29, 1956 M. LUCAS2,747,661

PROTECTIVE DEVICE Filed Sept. 20, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR AmchaeZLucas ATTORNEYS United States Patent PROTECTIVE DEVICE Michael Lucas,Bridgeport, Conn.

Application September 20, 1954, Serial No. 457,182

16 Claims. (Cl. 160-10) This invention relates to a protective device ora burglar trap of the type particularly useful for banks, liquir stores,pawn shops, loan companies, public buildings and the like, to preventthe entrance of any unauthorized person or to prevent the escape of anyperson attempting to steal anything within a building or the like onwhich my device is used.

An object of this invention is to provide a protective device of theflexible wall type adapted to be extended to form an obstruction acrossan opening to prevent passage therethrough and which takes up minimumspace and is arranged to be concealed within the frame structuresurrounding the opening or the like when in the inoperative position.

Another object is to provide a camouflaged novel antiburglar device in anatural and conventional-looking frame structure that surrounds theopening.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means whereby theprotective device may be quickly and easily reset with a minimum ofeifort.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic self-lockingmeans for the protective device when it is in extended or operativeposition.

Another object of this invention is to provide a signaling device andcontrol therefor operatively associated with the flexible Wall means tocause a signal to be actuated only after the said wall is extended andlocked or in the operative position.

The objects are accomplished in the present preferred form of theinvention by having a novel flexible wall or net adapted to be woundabout a spindle and is normally urged to an unwound position, said wallbeing held against the action of said urging means by releasable holdingmeans. The wall-is concealed within a hollow frame surrounding abuilding door opening or the like and is released by remote controlmeans by an attendant of the building upon the appearance of a burglaror suspicious person. Upon release, the flexible wall unwinds to anextended position across a building opening and locks in place, therebyobstructing the opening or the like for preventing the entrance orescape of a burglar or suspicious person and upon completion of itsmovement actuates a signal indicating that the trap has been sprung. Thesignal is energized until the device is reset by a simple and novelrewind mechanism.

A feature of this invention resides in the compact, simple, inexpensive,durable, and novel construction of the flexible wall portion whichconsists of a lattice of chain and/ or wire construction.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of aninexpensive, positive and novel arrangement for rewinding the flexiblewall portion after the trap has been sprung which is prepared foroperation by the unwinding of the Wall.

A still further feature resides in the fact that the signal is notactuated until after the wall has closed.

the opening-so that the would-be thief or burglar is notforewarned'before the trapis closed.

Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision of anovel self-locking construction for the flexible wall when in theextended position.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the specificationand claims when considered with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the protective device of the presentinvention with the frame shown in dot-and-- dash lines.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of an opening with the protective device inretracted position.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of thespindle holding means.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail of the release means.

Fig. 5 is a detail of the lock means. i

As herein illustrated, my invention is shown as applied to a dooropening of a building. However, my invention can likewise be appliedtoother enclosures and to window openings or other accessible buildingopenings by which unauthorized persons may seek ingress or egress.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a hollow door frame 10 extends around about abuilding opening by which un authorized access of undesirable personsmay be had. This frame structure, as shown in Fig. 2, has the generalappearance of a usual and conventional doorway and has projecting sidecolumns 11a, 11b for housing the novel anti-burglar device of thepresent invention, thereby rendering the anti-burglar device free fromsuspeciom and observation.

The hollow frame member 11a has a spindle 12 rotatably mounted thereinin suitable upper and lowerbearings 13 and 14 respectively, the upperbearing comprising of an angle plate which also carries operatingmechanisms to be described. The spindle has one end of a flexible wallor net 15 connected thereto so that it can be wound and unwound upon thespindle.

While the flexible wall or net may be made of all chain, all wire, orall metal bands or strips, or a combination of the same, in thepreferred illustrated form of the invention as shown in Fig. 1 theflexible wall 15 comprises a series of spaced and substantially parallelchain members 16 or the like interlaced with wire members 17 so that thewhole forms a metal net or gate that is flexible, tough, compact, andeasily Wound or unwound about the spindle. It is of suflicient strengthand cannot be easily broken, and of the required compactness so as tofit a restricted volume or hollow portion of the casual orconventional-looking door frame. As shown in Fig. 1, the other end ofthe lattice wall or net is secured to a leading bar 18 which carries alatch mechanism 19 to be described.

In order to guide the lead bar as it moves across the wound about thespindle 12.

The wall is normally urged to closed position by means of a concealedcable 24 secured to the upperportion of the bar 18 and extends acrossthe opening and is threaded over pulleys 24a and 24b and secured at itsother end to a suspended weight W capable of moving the walltotheextended position. Another cable 25 is likewise concealed and secured tothe lower portion'ofl the bar 18 and extends across the opening and isthreaded through the pulleys 25a, 25b and 250 having the other. endthereof attached to the weight W. The pulley arrangements, concealed, inthe projectingframe portion;

11b, provide equal distribution of the pulling force on the barresulting in smooth and easy operation of the bar by the weighted meansupon the release of the holding means.

In order to hold the flexible wall in wound position against the actionof the weight W, a holding means is provided which includes a ratchet 26fixed to the spindle and rotates therewith. Cooperating with the ratchetis a T-shaped member 27 which is pivoted at the junction of the crossbar28 and stem 29 to the bearing plate 13 with one end of the crossbar 28aengaging the ratchet 26 to form a pawl which prevents rotation of thespindle and unwinding of the flexible wall therefrom. The stem 29 of theT is positioned to be engaged by the lead bar 18 as the flexible wall iswound on the spindle and moves the end of the crossbar 28a into holdingposition when the wall is completely wound thereon. If desired the stem29 of the T may be provided with a buffer spring 30 to prevent damage tothe pawl by the action of the lead bar in moving to retracted position.The other end of the crossbar 28b has an actuator or projection 31 fixedthereto to be engaged by releasing means to move the pawl out ofengagement with the teeth of the ratchet.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the releasing means comprisesa releasing cam 32 operatively connected to an electrical motor 33 to bedriven thereby. The motor is connected in a circuit controlled by aremotely disposed button 34 concealed within the building and Which islocated in a strategic position and easily accessible to an attendant oremployee in the building.

The motor circuit which is connected to a suitable source of electricalenergy, not shown, includes a second switch 35 in series with saidbutton and motor. This second switch 35 is a normally open switchlocated adjacent an extension pin 36 carried by the end of the crossarm28b and is closed thereby when the pawl is moved to holding positionthus setting up the release circuit to be controlled by the push buttonwhen the flexible wall is in the retracted position.

When it is desired to release the flexible wall for movement by theweight W, the push button 34 is closed. This energizes the motor 33 torotate the cam 32 and moves the pawl out of contact with the ratchetleaving the spindle free to rotate. Movement of the pawl to releaseposition automatically opens the motor circuit at the switch 35.

The locking mechanism 37 for my trap consists of a pair of spacedlatching members 19 having spaced undercut cammed surfaces 19a thereonand carried by the leading bar 18. Aligned therewith and located in theopposed frame member 11b is a lock housing 38 containing a pair ofspaced upper and lower locking earns 39 and 40 respectively, pivotallymounted in said housing and which mate with the latching members 19 inthe lock position. Spring means 41 engage each locking cam, and urgethem into locked relation with the latching members 19. Stop pins 42 and43 limit the movement of the locking cams in the direction of the forceexerted by the spring. This arrangement allows the latching cams 19acarried by the leading bar 18- to ride over and automatically interlockwith the locking cams, 3'9 and 40 respectively, for securing the net inthe extended position. v V I To prevent the locking cams 39 and 40 frombeing released by pull on the lead bar, a manually controlled blockingmember 44 connected to arelease lever 45 is provided. The blockingmember 44' has an upper 44a and a lower 44b' cam surface abutting thelocking cams. This blocking member prevents the opening of the gate by apull on the leading ba'r'. Pressing the release lever 45 will pivot theblocking member 44 so that the' upper 44a and lower 44b camming surfaceswill earn against said' lock cams 39 and 40 respectively and pivot thesame against the force of the spring 41, thereby enabling the latchmembers 19- to be disengagedtherefrom. The re- .4 lease lever 45 isconcealed and operated either by hand or key so the unauthorized personcaught in the trap cannot release the net when it is in the extendedposition.

A novel reset mechanism is provided for rewinding the wall on thespindle when the lock is released. This reset mechanism comprises aflanged drum 46 on the upper part of the spindle to rotate therewith. Arewind cable 47 has one end secured to said drum 46 and is arranged tobe wound on said drum in a reverse direction to the winding of theflexible wall portion or net 15. In the illustrated form the reset cableis wound clockwise about the drum while the wall is woundcounterclockwise. Therefore, it will be seen that as the wall portion 15is unwound from said spindle, the reset cable is wound about said drumand prepared for a reset. The reset cable is threaded over pulleys 47a,47b, and 470 to facilitate the reset operation. The other end of thecable has secured thereto a weighted handle 48 whereby the cable can bepulled to rotate the spindle during the resetting of the trap.

In accordance with the present invention an indicating signal. isprovided to give notice that the trap has been sprung. While this signalmay be either a flashing light and the like or an audible signal, in theillustrated embodiment an audible buzzer 49 is used as the signal whichmay be located either on the building or in a nearby police station orboth.

The buzzer circuit contains a buzzer 49 and a switch or pair of opencontacts 50 and 51 which are positioned below the weight W and areclosed by the weight only when it has reached its limit of travel afterthe trap is closed and locked. Thus the signal is energized only afterthe gate or net has closed so that a burglar or suspicious character isnot forewarned of the springing of the trap, so that the unauthorizedperson within the building immediately becomes trapped therein and canbe subsequently captured without loss of property. If the trap is sprungbefore the would-be burglar or suspicious character is within thebuilding, his plans fail and the attempted burglary is thwarted withoutloss.

The operation of the burglar trap is as follows:

With the trap set and upon the approachof entrance of a burglar orsuspicious character, the building attendant or employee presses ahidden button 34 which actuates the motor 33. The motor rotates the cam32 against the actuator 31 thereby pivoting the pawl 28c carried by thecrossbar 28 out of engagement with the ratchet 26. As soon as the pawl28a is released from the ratchet 26, the weight W is free to fall, andpulls as it does, the leading bar 18 across the doorway unwinding theflexible wall or net 15. Upon release of the pawl, the actuator 31 movesthe extension pin 36 fixed thereon away from the biased closed switch35, enabling the said switch to open the circuit and cut off the motor.

As the wall or net is unwinding clockwise, the reset cable 47 is windingcounterclockwise about the drum 46 fixed to the spindle 12 and rotatingtherewith. When the leading bar 18 reaches the opposite frame member,the latch members 19 ride over the locking earns 39 and'40 due to themomentum of the bar and automatically interlocks therewith. The WeightW, then at the' end of it'stravel, closes the contacts 50 and 51actuating the buzzer 49. At this point, if the 'burgular is within thebuilding, he is trapped therein, and if not, he is prevented fromentering and carrying out his plans.

After the burglar has been'apprehended or discouraged, the trap isreset. A hidden access door 52' inthe hollow frame 11b member enablesthe building attendant to have access to the reset cable 47 andlockmeans 37. The trapis reset by opening the access door 52 and pressingthe release lever 45 to disengage the locle earns 39 and 40. Theoperator then pulls on the handle 48' of the reset' cable 47 which waswound counterclockwise about the'd'ru'm as the net wasunwoundto theextended position. Pulling the handle eife'cts the" u'nwiruii'n'g of thereset cable 47 which will cause the spindle 12to' rotate and rewindthereon the net or flexible wall 15. Rewinding the net returns theweight W to its original position and causes the buzzer contacts 50 and51, or switch, to be opened thereby de-energizing the signal circuit.

As the leading bar 18 approaches its limit in the retracted position, itcams against the stem 29 of the T- member pivoting the crossbar 28 sothat the pawl 28a automaticaly engages the ratchet 26 to counteract orhold the weight W against release. A butter spring 30 fixed to the stem29 of the T-member cushions the impact of the leading bar 18 against theT 27 during resetting. Pivoting the crossbar 28 of the T-member 27 alsopermits the pin extension 36 fixed to the actuator 32 to bias the switch35 closed to set up the control circuit and the device is immediatelyready for another operation.

Although the trap was described for use during business hours, it willbe understood that the said device may be used after business hours todiscourage night burglars and would-be trespassers. At the close of thebusiness day, the building attendant, or owner may disconnect the buzzerand actuate the trap before leaving the building. Thus with the netextended, it would function as a further deterrent to a would-be nightprowler or trespasser. The device may likewise be equally useful duringstrikes, riots, and the like to protect an owners property.

Thus it will be seen that my burglar trap is simple, efficient andpositive in its operation, and sturdy, inexpensive, and compact in itsmanufacture. It is completely concealed and unobstructive in the stowedposition and capable of protecting life and property from injury due toburglars, trespassers, rioters and the like.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claimsand portions of the improvements may be used without others. 7

I claim:

1. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or thelike comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wallportion of open lattice construction and having a leading bar, said wallportion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, meansincluding a weight and a cable connected to said wall portion andnormally urging said wall portion to unwound position extending over theaperture, means holding said spindle against rotation with the wallportion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle to permit unwindingsaid wall portion therefrom and close said aperture, means locking saidwall in unwound position, and switch means actuated by said weight uponcompletion of the movement of the wall portion to operate a signal onlyafter the wall portion is in unwound position.

2. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or thelike comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wallportion of open lattice construction and having a leading bar, said wallportion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, meansincluding a weight and a cable connected to said wall portion andnormally urging said wall portion to unwound position extending .overthe aperture, pawl and ratchet means holding said spindle againstrotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing saidspindle to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close saidaperture, means locking said wall in unwound position, switch meansactuated by said weight upon completion of the movement of the wallportion to operate a signal only after the wall portion is in unwoundposition, and means to rewind said wall portion about said spindle toreset thedevice for reuse.

3. -A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building orthe like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexiblewall portion of open lattice construction ,and having a leading bar,said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon saidspindle, means including a weight and a cable cohnected to said wallportion and normaly urging said wall portion to unwound positionextending over the aperture, means holding said spindle against rotationwith the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle topermit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture,means locking said wall in unwound position, and an alarm meansincluding a pair of contacts disposed in the path of movement of theweight to be engaged thereby and actuate the alarm circuit only uponcompletion of movement of the wall portion to closed position.

4. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or thelike comprising a rotatably mounted spindle adjacent the aperture, aflexible wall portion having a leading bar, said wall portion beingadapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means separate fromsaid wall portion and normally urging said wall portion to unwoundposition extending over the aperture, means holding said spindle againstrotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing saidspindle to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom to a positionover the aperture, a cable connected to the leading bar, a weightsecured to said cable to unwind said wall portion upon actuation of saidrelease means, and a second cable means connected to said spindle torewind said wall portion about said spindle to reset said device, saidsecond cable being reversably wound on said spindle by the rotation ofthe spindle as the wall portion is unwound therefrom, whereby saidsecond cable is automatically conditioned for a reset operation.

5. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or thelike comprising a rotatably mounted spindle adjacent the aperture, aflexible wall portion having a leading bar, said wall portion beingadapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means separate fromsaid wall portion and normally urging said wall portion to unwoundposition extending over the aperture, means holding said spindle againstrotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing saidspindle to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom to a positionover the aperture, a cable connected to the leading bar, a weightsecured to the leading bar by said cable to unwind said wall portionupon actuation of said release means, switch means actuated by saidweight to operate a signal only after the wall portion is unwound andpositioned over the aperture, second cable means to rewind said wallportion about said spindle to reset said device, said second cable beingreversably wound on said spindle by the rotation of the spindle as thewall portion is unwound therefrom, whereby said second cable isautomatically conditioned for a reset operation, manually operable meansfor actuating the second cable to reset position, said switch meansrendering the signal means inoperative as the weight is moved by thewall' portion as it moves to reset position.

6. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or thelike comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wallportion having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to bewound and unwound upon said spindle, means separate from said wallportion and normally urging said wall portion to an unwound positionextending over the aperture, means including a ratchet and pawl deviceconnected to said spindle for holding said spindle against rotation withthe wall portion wound thereon, remote control means releasing saidratchet and pawl device to permit unwinding said wall portion therefromand close said aperture,

and means locking said wall in unwound position.

7. A protective device adapted to close an aperture leading bar, saidwall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle,means separate from said wall portion and normally urging said wallportion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, meansincluding a pawl and ratchet device for holding said spindle againstrotation with the wall portion wound thereon, remote control meansincluding an electric motor driven cam for engaging and releasing saidpawl to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close saidaperture, and means locking said wall in unwound position.

8. A protective device'adap'ted 'to close an aperture in a building orthe like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexiblewall portion having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to hewound and unwound upon said spindle, means normally urging said wallportion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, meanscomprising a ratchet connected to said spindle and a T-shaped pawlmember pivoted at the junction of the stem and crossbar of the T withone end of the bar cooperating with the ratchet to hold said spindle,said leading bar engaging the stem of the T in retracted position tocause theen'd of the bar to move into holding position with the ratchetand hold said spindle against rotation with the wall portion woundthereon, means'operableto move the other end of the bar of the T andmove the pawl to release 'said ratchet to permit unwinding said wallportion therefrom and close said aperture, and means locking said 'wallin unwound position.

9. Avprotective device adapted to close an aperture in a building or thelike comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexible wallportion having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to bewound and unwound upon said spindle, means normally urging said wallportion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, meanscomprising a ratchet connected to said spindle and a T-shapedpawl memberpivoted at the junction of the stem and crossbar of the T with one endof the bar cooperating with theratchet to hold said spindle, saidleading bar engaging the stem of the T in retracted position to causethe end of the bar to move into holding position with the ratchet andhold said spindle against rotation with the wall portion wound thereon,a projection on the other end of the bar, means including a remotecontrol circuit having an electric motor driven cam operable to engagesaid projection and move the other end of the bar of the T and move'thepawl to release said ratchet to permit unwinding said wallportion'therefrom and close said aperture, and means locking saidWall'in unwoundposition,

'10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein a normally open switchmeans in included in the remote control circuit and wherein means isprovided on the pawl member to close the 'switchupon the pawl beingmoved into holdingposition and to set up the circuit for remoteoperation of the release means.

11. A protective device-adapted to close an aperture in a building orthe like comprising a spindle mounted adjacentthe aperture, a flexiblewall'portion comprising a plurality of spaced parallel chain membershaving one end connected to the'spindle and the other end connected to alead barand spaced transverse Wire connectors tying said chainstogether, said'wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound uponsaid spindle, means normally urging said wall portion to an unwoundposition extending over the aperture,m'eans holding said spindle againstrotation with the wall'portion'woundthereon, meansreleasing'saidspindle'to'permit unwinding said wall portion therefromand close said aperture, means loc'kingsaid wall in unwound-position,andmeans for energizing a signal-only-"after 'the said wall is unwoundand'locked.

1 25A protective device a'daptedto close an aperture in a' building or'the like-comprising a-spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a 'guidebanmounted adjacent the spindle, a flexible wall portion comprising aplurality of spaced parallel chain members passing around the guide barand having one end connected to the spindle and the other end connectedto a lead bar and spaced transverse wire connectors tying said chainstogether, said wall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound uponsaid spindle, means normally urging said wall portion to an unwoundposition extending over the aperture, means holding said spindle againstrotation with the wall portion wound thereon, means releasing saidspindle .to permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close saidaperture, means locking said wall in unwound position, and means forenergizing a signal only after the said wall is unwound and locked.

13. A protective device adapted to close an aperture in a building orthe like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexiblewall portion having a lead- 7 ing bar, said wall portion being adaptedto be wound and unwound upon said spindle, means normally urging saidwall portion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, meanscomprising a ratchet connected to said spindle and a T-shaped pawlmember pivoted at the junction of the stern and crossbar of the T withone end of the bar cooperating with the ratchet -to hold said spindle,said stem of the T having a resilient buifermeans thereon and saidleading bar engaging the buffer means on the stem of the T in retractedposition to cushion the contact and cause the end of the 'bar to moveinto holding position with the ratchet and hold said spindle againstrotation with the wall -portion-wound thereon, meansoperable to move-theother end of the bar of the T and move the pawl to release said ratchetto permit unwinding said wall portion therefrom and close said aperture,and means locking said wall in unwound position.

14. A protective device adapted to close in aperture in a building orthe like comprising a spindle mounted adjacent the aperture, a flexiblewall portion having a leading bar, said wall portion being adapted to bewound and unwound upon said spindle, means normally urging said wallportion to an unwound position extending over the aperture, meansholding said spindle against rotation with the wall portion woundthereon, means releasing said spindle to permit unwinding said wallportion therefrom and close said aperture, and means locking said wallin unwound position, said locking means comprising a latching membercarried by the leading bar, a pair of opposed pivotally mounted lockingcam means mounted adjacent the aperture opposite the spindlefor-receiving the latching member carried by the leading bar when thewall is extended across the aperture and releasing means, said releasingmeans including a blocking member engaging said locking cams, and alever actuating said blocking cam to pivot said locking cams to releasesaid latch.

15. In a building having an opening therein, .hollow opposed framemembers extending around said opening, a burglar device concealed insaid frame members comprising a spindle'm'ounted adjacent the opening, aflexible wall portion, said wall portionbeing adapted to be wound andunwound upon said spindle, weighted means normally urging said wallportion to an unwound position extending over the opening, means mountedin the frame member holding said spindle against rotation with the wallportion wound thereon, means releasing said spindle to permit-unwindingsaid wall portion therefrom and close said opening, means in'the framemember locking said wall in unwound position, and switch means actuatedby said weighted meansupon completion of the movement of the wallportion to -.operate a signal only after the wall portion'is in'theunwound position.

16. In 'a building having an opening therein, hollow opposed framemembers extending around said-opening with'projecting-portions at eachside "thereof, a burglar device concealed in said frame memberscomprising a spindlemounted in one projecting I portion adjacent theopening, 'a flexible wall portion, of open lattieeconstruction, saidwall portion being adapted to be wound and unwound upon said spindle,weighted means normally urging said wall portion to an unwound positionextending across the opening, means adjacent the spindle and holdingsaid spindle against rotation with the wall portion 5 wound thereon,means releasing said spindle to permit unwinding said wall portiontherefrom and close said opening, and means in the other projectingportion locking said wall in unwound position, said other projectingportion having a locked access opening whereby said last 10 named meansmay be exposed and released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSAnderson Apr. 16, 1895 Collins Aug. 10, 1920 Wolfe et a1. Feb. 1, 1921Wertheimer Jan. 6, 1925 Fiebeger Jan. 12, 1937 Tobin July 27, 1937

